Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs Honors RoseAnn B. Rosenthal With Annual Iris Newman Award

Rosenthal and the 2014 Class of AWE Fellows recognized at the annual gala PHILADELPHIA, Pa.  – The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) presented its annual Iris Newman Award to RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, at AWE’s annual gala on November 18th at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. The gala also included an announcement of AWE’s 2014 class of Fellows and a keynote address by Sarah Van Aken, Chief Executive Officer and founder of S.V.A. Holdings Corporation. The Iris Newman Award is presented each year to a woman business leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping advance women entrepreneurs. Rosenthal has been at the helm of Ben Franklin since 1996, and has more than 40 years of experience in business investment, regional planning and economic development. Under her leadership, Ben Franklin has become a national model for technology innovation and has invested more than $165 million to support the growth of more than 1,750 regional business and technology enterprises.  A graduate of Temple University, Rosenthal serves on numerous public, private and non-profit boards and advisory groups. She is the recipient of many awards, including an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Philadelphia University and induction into Temple University’s League for Entrepreneurial Women’s Hall of Fame. Van Aken, who was named the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur of 2012, offered her own inspirational account of starting a business and her choice to establish her company in Philadelphia. Her award-winning company is comprised of four private apparel brands that feature quality construction and garments produced in the Philadelphia Garment District.  S.V.A. incorporates socially responsible business practices, including local job creation, sustainable and recycled raw materials and community partnerships. Through its Fellows Program, AWE supports the career paths of female students and early stage entrepreneurs by providing opportunities for mentoring, networking, professional coaching and career advice from experienced AWE members. “We applaud and recognize the energy and leadership of RoseAnn Rosenthal, Sarah Van Aken, and our 2014 class of AWE Fellows,” said Jane Hollingsworth, president of AWE and managing partner of Militia Hill Ventures, a life sciences accelerator based in Philadelphia. “In addition to recognizing great leaders and a top notch class of new entrepreneurs, the gala provides a wonderful opportunity to network with and learn from some of the region’s most accomplished and inspirational leaders and entrepreneurs who exemplify the mission and goals of our organization.”

About the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs Founded in 1996, the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is the mid-Atlantic region’s largest organization dedicated to fostering high-growth businesses founded or led by women. Through its educational and networking events, AWE fosters relationships within the entrepreneurial community to identify, cultivate and inspire women entrepreneurs. We are proud of our members, many of whom have founded and led innovative ventures that have resulted in significant return on capital for investors. www.phillyawe.org

About Ben Franklin Technology Partnersof Southeastern PA Ben Franklin is celebrating our 30th year of helping our region’s talented entrepreneurs bring their Dreams to Reality.  Ben Franklin is a national, award winning organization forStimulating Entrepreneurial Potential, through entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.  We grow technology companies and partnerships through Capital, Knowledge and Networks that help innovative enterprises compete in the global marketplace, generating wealth and supporting regional economic growth.  Ben Franklin has invested more than $165 million to grow more than 1,750 regional enterprises, across all areas of technology.  It has launched university/industry partnerships that accelerate scientific discoveries to commercialization. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. For additional information, please visit www.sep.benfranklin.org, Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter. CONTACT:     Jaron J. Rhodes Manager, Marketing and Communications (215) 972-6700, ext. 3214 jaron@sep.benfranklin.org